Remo D'Souza's action-thriller Race 3 starring Salman Khan in the lead role will hit the theatres this Friday. The film also stars Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol in vital roles.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Pinkvilla, the ABCD director shared his experience of working with Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor.

Remo also opened up why was Salman Khan selected to replace Saif Ali Khan in the Race series.

Read the interview below:

From directing films that are based on dance, you have moved to making a film which has action as its base. What made you switch?

I did one action film which people don't remember. It is called Flying Jatt. I love doing action movies. There are two things that I have learnt. Before dancing, I used to do martial arts. Action was there and I love action movies. I grew up watching Jackie Chan movies and Hollywood movies. I always wanted to do an action movie. But I did one action movie which is a superhero movie which didn't do well. But then I had Race 3 which had everything I asked for and dreamt for. So I said, this is it and I should make this one film because isse bada nahi ho sakta mere paas. I won't be giving bigger film than this because it has Salman Khan in it.

How tough was it shooting for all the action in Race 3?

We had more outdoor in this film. All my movies were majorly on the sets. ABCD was on the sets, FALTU was on the sets. This was the film where everything was out. In the jungles, in the deserts, then we have snow mountains in Kashmir and Ladakh. It was quite a task to pull this off in the given time. I didn't have the money to shoot this film. I had only 6 months to shoot to film.

Saif Ali Khan has been the face of Race films. Why did you think Salman Khan is the perfect replacement?

Actually, it was Ramesh Taurani's idea to get Salman Khan on board. So he was behind him for the last 2 years. I was nowhere in the picture. He got the script written, he went to Salman sir, he made him hear. He gave a nod to him as the producer. So he wrote the script, then he got the actor and then he got the director. That's how it usually happens in Hollywood.

We went in a Hollywood way to make the film.

How was the experience of working with Salman Khan?

I did a lot of songs with him. We have a great chemistry and we have done a lot of shows together. Working with him was actually easier than working with all the newcomers I have worked with in ABCD. This was the easiest because he made the whole set and me so comfortable that I didn't feel like I was shooting with a superstar.

Race series has been a hit. So is there any pressure on you to how will people perceive your vision in Race 3?

I think there are only a few people who will come to see what Remo has done. Baaki sab to Salman ko dekhne aayenge (Everyone is going to come to see Salman Khan). So my work was to present him the way people would want him. I am a big fan of Salman Khan and I know how he should be coming on screen. If I would feel like clapping or whistling, then even the audience will whistle on his scenes.

Tell us about your experience of working with Anil Kapoor.

I have learnt so much from Anil Kapoor. Even after working for so many years, he's the legend and still behaves like a newcomer on the sets. He calls me a night before and tells me about the scene. He sends me pictures on iPhone ke maine yeh pehna hai, kal yeh pehnu kya, chashma yeh pehne. He sends me the recording of his dialogues that should I say that dialogue like this. And who does that? Not even a newcomer or an actor does that. He still does that.